8 Star Wars Expanded Universe Changes That Were Completely Justified

3. Getting Rid Of Clone Palpatine

For many, this is where the old EU canon just falls apart.

Although Return of the Jedi concluded the Emperor's story by having Darth Vader throw him into the depths of the second Death Star without saying a single word, the folks over at Dark Horse Comics decided that it would be a great idea to resurrect the character in 1991. The storyline? Dark Empire - a comic book which detailed the efforts of the New Republic to suppress a resurgent Imperial rebellion, and more specifically their attempts to resurrect their former leader.

Throughout the course of the series, the Emperor is cloned in several different bodies. Luke then literally turns to the dark side, and pledges his allegiance to the resurrected Palpatine.

If people think the New Trilogy repetitively lifts elements from Episodes IV-VI, then they should really read Dark Empire. It renders Return of the Jedi's conclusion completely obsolete, makes Luke Skywalker look like an impressionable fool and is chockfull with old EU clichés, with the onus very much on making everything 'epic' to an absurd degree.

For those hoping that the Emperor features in some way in Episode IX, this book will make you think again. The character was great for what he was, but he shouldn't be brought back, and especially not like this.